Amelioration of Quinalphos-Induced Oxidative Stress by Emblica officinalis Fruit Extracts in Rats

Abstract

The fruit of Emblica officinalis (commonly known Amla) contain potent antioxidants and is most commonly used in the Ayurveda for the treatment of various diseases. Quinalphos- a organophorus insecticide is known to alter antioxidant defense system in mammals. With this premise, experiment was planned with objective to study the effect of amla fruit extract supplementation on quinalphos induced oxidative stress. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were homogenously divided into six groups of four animals each. Group I was kept as control. Group II was orally given quinalphos at the dose rate of 2 mg.kg^-1. day^-1. Group III and V were orally gavaged with amla in sugar and honey bases respectively at the dose rate of 50 μg.kg^-1.day^-1 whereas group IV and VI were orally dosed with quinalphos along with amla in sugar and honey bases respectively at above mentioned dose rates from day 16-45. The various indices of antioxidant status were analyzed in major organs of treatment groups viz. Liver, kidney and brain. Sub chronic quinalphos administration produced oxidative stress in rats as evidenced by increase in lipid peroxidation, glutathione peroxidase and decline in superoxide dismutase. Oral supplementation of amla extract in sugar and honey bases provided partially amelioration against altered antioxidant status following sub chronic quinalphos exposure. Results of histopathological study were also in corroboration with blood antioxidant status validating amla in either bases was unable to provide full protection against quinalphos induced toxicity in rats.